Gutter guard apparatus

ABSTRACT

A gutter guard apparatus that is configured to superposed the upper opening of a conventional gutter wherein the present invention inhibits debris from entering the gutter and further prevents ice accumulation or build-up in the gutter passage. The present invention includes a body wherein the body has a bottom with opposing sidewalls contiguously formed therewith. The bottom of the body includes a plurality support wall members extending upwards therefrom. The support wall members form longitudinal channels wherein the longitudinal channels have a plurality of apertures formed in the bottom thereof. A fascia sealing member is operably coupled to the body proximate the first longitudinal sidewall. A heating element channel is present adjacent to the second longitudinal sidewall and is configured to receive an retain therein a heating element. A cover member is superposed the heating element channel. A screen mesh member is located across the opening of the body.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to gutter accessories, morespecifically but not by way of limitation, a gutter guard that isconfigured to be superposed the upper opening of a gutter wherein thepresent invention includes a heating element so as to inhibit iceaccumulation in the gutter and further includes an upper screen memberto prevent debris from entering into the gutter.

BACKGROUND

As is known in the art, gutters are utilized on commercial andresidential structures to control the water flow egressing from the roofof the structure. Gutters are secured to the perimeter of the roof andare either mounted to a portion thereof or the entire perimeter. Aconventional gutter installation will include downspouts that areoperable to direct the flow of water to a particular location. Guttersserve a key role in inhibiting damage to the ground, concrete or otherfeatures that may be present directly underneath the roof eave of thestructure. Gutters are instrumental in preventing erosion of soil anddegradation of concrete by directing waterflow to an alternate location.Conventional gutters are manufactured from aluminum and are typicallyfive to six inches in width. These gutters have an opening across theentire portion thereof so as to capture water runoff from the roof andthen direct towards a downspout.

One issue with conventional gutter designs is the accumulation of debriswithin the gutter. As gutter designs leave the upper portion entirelyopen, the gutter is susceptible to having debris such as but not limitedto leaves accumulate therein. Once a sufficient amount of debrisaccumulates in the gutter, the gutter becomes clogged and the waterrunoff from the roof no longer is directed towards the downspout andspills over the perimeter edge of the gutter. Another issue withconventional gutter designs is accumulation of ice in colder climates.In certain climates freezing rain and a variance in temperatures canresult in ice buildup in the gutter. Subsequent the ice buildup thewater runoff is unable to be directed towards the downspouts and as suchwill egress from the gutter over the perimeter edge thereof.

It is intended within the scope of the present invention to provide agutter guard apparatus that is configured to be superposed the openingof a gutter wherein the present invention inhibits accumulation ofdebris in the gutter and further prevents ice buildup within the gutter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the present invention to provide a gutter guard thatis configured to be superposed the opening of a gutter wherein thepresent invention includes a body having a bottom and opposingsidewalls.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a gutter accessorythat is configured to be secured to a gutter so as to inhibit debris andice accumulation therein wherein the bottom has extending upwardstherefrom a plurality of support wall members.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a gutter guardthat is configured to be superposed the opening of a gutter wherein thepresent invention wherein one of the sidewalls includes a fascia sealingmember securing element formed proximate the top thereof.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a gutteraccessory that is configured to be secured to a gutter so as to inhibitdebris and ice accumulation therein that further includes a fasciasealing member operably coupled to one sidewall of the body.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a gutterguard that is configured to be superposed the opening of a gutterwherein the present invention wherein the outer sidewall has formedadjacent thereto a heating cable channel.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a gutteraccessory that is configured to be secured to a gutter so as to inhibitdebris and ice accumulation therein wherein the heating element channelfurther includes a cover member superposed thereto.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a gutter guardthat is configured to be superposed the opening of a gutter wherein thepresent invention wherein the plurality of support wall members form aplurality of longitudinal channels.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a gutterguard that is configured to be superposed the opening of a gutterwherein the bottom of the body includes a plurality of apertures formedtherein.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a gutteraccessory that is configured to be secured to a gutter so as to inhibitdebris and ice accumulation therein wherein a screen member issuperposed the channel wall members.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a gutter guardthat is configured to be superposed the opening of a gutter wherein aheating element is disposed in the heating element channel.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the presentinvention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. Attention is called to the fact that the drawings areillustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being a part of thepresent invention, limited only by the scope of the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had byreference to the following Detailed Description and appended claims whentaken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the present invention with the screenmember removed; and

FIG. 3 is a top view of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the present invention with thescreen member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings submitted herewith, wherein variouselements depicted therein are not necessarily drawn to scale and whereinthrough the views and figures like elements are referenced withidentical reference numerals, there is illustrated a gutter guardapparatus 100 constructed according to the principles of the presentinvention.

An embodiment of the present invention is discussed herein withreference to the figures submitted herewith. Those skilled in the artwill understand that the detailed description herein with respect tothese figures is for explanatory purposes and that it is contemplatedwithin the scope of the present invention that alternative embodimentsare plausible. By way of example but not by way of limitation, thosehaving skill in the art in light of the present teachings of the presentinvention will recognize a plurality of alternate and suitableapproaches dependent upon the needs of the particular application toimplement the functionality of any given detail described herein, beyondthat of the particular implementation choices in the embodimentdescribed herein. Various modifications and embodiments are within thescope of the present invention.

It is to be further understood that the present invention is not limitedto the particular methodology, materials, uses and applicationsdescribed herein, as these may vary. Furthermore, it is also to beunderstood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose ofdescribing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit thescope of the present invention. It must be noted that as used herein andin the claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include the pluralreference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, forexample, a reference to “an element” is a reference to one or moreelements and includes equivalents thereof known to those skilled in theart. All conjunctions used are to be understood in the most inclusivesense possible. Thus, the word “or” should be understood as having thedefinition of a logical “or” rather than that of a logical “exclusiveor” unless the context clearly necessitates otherwise. Structuresdescribed herein are to be understood also to refer to functionalequivalents of such structures. Language that may be construed toexpress approximation should be so understood unless the context clearlydictates otherwise.

References to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “exemplaryembodiments”, and the like may indicate that the embodiment(s) of theinvention so described may include a particular feature, structure orcharacteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes theparticular feature, structure or characteristic.

Referring in particular to the Figures submitted herewith, the gutterguard apparatus 100 includes a body 10. The body 10 is manufactured froma durable heat conducting material such as but not limited to aluminum.The body 10 is configured to be superposed the upper opening of aconventional gutter so as to inhibit debris from entering the gutter. Asis further discussed herein, the gutter guard apparatus 100 is furtheroperable to inhibit ice buildup in the gutter. The body 10 includes abottom 12 wherein the bottom 12 has a first longitudinal sidewall 14 anda second longitudinal sidewall 16 contiguously formed therewith onopposing sides thereof. The bottom 12 includes a plurality of apertures20 formed therein. The apertures 20 are arranged in a linear manner andextend between the first end 5 and second end 6 of the body 10. Theapertures 20 permit water to egress therethrough and into the gutter forsubsequent direction into a downspout. While the apertures 20 areillustrated herein as being oval in shape, it is contemplated within thescope of the present invention that the apertures 20 could be formed inalternate shapes and sizes. Furthermore, it should be understood withinthe scope of the present invention that the gutter guard apparatus 100could have various quantities and arrangements of apertures 20.

Integrally formed with the bottom 12 extending upwards therefrom andbeing perpendicular thereto are the support wall members 25. The supportwall members extend the length of the body 10 intermediate the first end5 and second end 6. The support wall members 25 are arranged in aparallel orientation with respect to each other. The support wallmembers 25 includes an upper end 26 wherein the upper end 26 is flaredto have a greater width than the remaining portion of the support wallmember 25. While four support wall members 25 are illustrated hereinforming the longitudinal channels 28, it is contemplated within thescope of the present invention that the body 10 could have more than orless than four support wall members 25. The shape of the upper end 26 ofthe support wall member 25 assists in providing support for the screenmesh member 40 that is superposed the opening 9 of the body 10. Thescreen mesh member 40 is manufactured from conventional metal screen andis operable to inhibit debris from entering the opening 9 of the body10. The screen mesh member 40 is secured utilizing suitable techniquesand extends between the first end 5 and second end 6 of the body and isfurther disposed across the first longitudinal sidewall 14 and thesecond longitudinal sidewall 16.

The first longitudinal sidewall 14 has contiguously formed therewith thefascia sealing member securing element 50. The fascia sealing membersecuring element 50 include a lower portion 51 contiguously formed withthe first longitudinal sidewall 14 and is perpendicular thereto. Acenter portion 52 extends upwards therefrom and provides a structuralconnection with the upper portion 56. The center portion 52 creates afirst void 54 and a second void 55 intermediate the lower portion 51 andupper portion 53 on opposing sides of the center portion 52. The firstvoid 54 operably couples to segment 62 of the fascia sealing member 60.Fascia sealing member 60 includes a first section 61 and second section63 that are contiguously formed and perpendicular in orientation. Thesecond section 63 of the fascia sealing member 60 is operably coupled toa fascia of a structure having a gutter to which the gutter guardapparatus 100 is being operably coupled thereto. The first section 61further includes leg member 66 that is superposed the upper surface ofthe upper portion 53 wherein the leg member 66 and the end of the firstsection 61 distal to the second section 63 operably couple with thefascia sealing member securing element 50. While a particular structureof the fascia sealing member securing element 50 has been illustratedand discussed herein, it is contemplated within the scope of the presentinvention that the fascia sealing member securing element 50 could beformed in alternate manners in order to achieve the objective ofsecuring the fascia sealing member 60 to the body 10.

Contiguously formed with the second longitudinal sidewall 16 is theheating element channel 70. The heating element channel 70 is adjacentto the second longitudinal sidewall 16 and is parallel thereto. Theheating element channel 70 has passage 71 that is operable to have theheating element 75 placed thereinto. The heating element channel 70extends the length of the body 10. The heating element is a conventionalelectrically operated heating element that is operably coupled to apower source of the structure to which the gutter guard apparatus 100 isbeing mounted on a gutter thereof. The heating element 75 generates asufficient amount of heat that is conducted through the body 10 so as toinhibit the accumulation of ice on the gutter guard apparatus 100 andthe gutter to which the gutter guard apparatus 100 is operably coupled.It should be understood within the scope of the present invention thatthe heating element 75 could be provided in various amperage ratings.

The heating element channel 70 is covered by cover member 80. Covermember 80 provides coverage of the upper opening 73 of the heatingelement channel 70. The cover member 80 is planar in manner and ismanufactured of a suitable width to completely cover the heating elementchannel 70. The cover member 80 is operably secured via the cover memberconnection element 90. The cover member connection element 90 includes acenter portion 91 extending upward from section 89. Secured to thecenter portion 91 is the upper portion 92 wherein the upper portion 92is perpendicular with the center portion 91 creating first void 93 andsecond void 94. First void 93 is configured to receive an edge of thecover member so as to secure in position. The second void 94 is providedto insert an edge of the screen mesh member 40 so as to secure inposition proximate the second longitudinal wall 16.

The body 10 includes outer section 4 that is contiguously formed withthe heating element channel 70 extending outward therefrom. The outersection 4 is formed to engage an outer edge of a conventional gutter andbe superposed thereto providing the necessary structural support andengagement with a gutter to ensure maintenance of position of the gutterguard apparatus 100. It is contemplated within the scope of the presentinvention that the outer section 4 could be formed in alternate mannersin order to accomplish the desired objective discussed herein. It shouldbe understood within the scope of the present invention that the lengthof the body 10 is provided in numerous alternate lengths that areequivalent to the length of the gutter to which the gutter guardapparatus 100 is being operably coupled. This can be accomplished ineither a single or multiple segments of the body 10.

In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to theaccompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown byway of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may bepracticed. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have beendescribed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art topractice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitableembodiments may be utilized and that logical changes may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the invention. The description mayomit certain information known to those skilled in the art. Thepreceding description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to thespecific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended tocover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can bereasonably included within the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A gutter guard apparatus that is configured to besecured to an upper opening of a gutter wherein the gutter guardapparatus comprises: a body, said body having a bottom, said body havinga first end and a second end, said body further having a firstlongitudinal sidewall and a second longitudinal sidewall contiguouslyformed with the bottom on opposing sides thereof, said body having anupper opening intermediate the first longitudinal sidewall and thesecond longitudinal sidewall providing access to an interior volumethereof; at least one support wall member, said at least one supportwall member being integrally formed with an upper surface of saidbottom, said at least one support wall member extending upward from saidbottom and being perpendicular thereto; a plurality of apertures, saidplurality of apertures being formed in said bottom, said plurality ofapertures being adjacent said at least one support wall member; aheating element channel, said heating element channel being adjacentsaid second longitudinal wall, said heating element channel having ahollow passage configured to receive a heating element therein; and ascreen mesh member, said screen mesh member disposed across said upperopening of said body, said screen mesh member configured to inhibitdebris from entering said upper opening of said body.
 2. The gutterguard apparatus that is configured to be secured to the upper opening ofa gutter as recited in claim 1, and further including a first connectionmember, said first connection member being contiguously formed with thefirst longitudinal wall distal to said bottom.
 3. The gutter guardapparatus that is configured to be secured to the upper opening of agutter as recited in claim 2, and further including a cover member, saidcover member being planar in manner, said cover member configured to besuperposed said heating element channel.
 4. The gutter guard apparatusthat is configured to be secured to the upper opening of a gutter asrecited in claim 3, wherein said at least one support wall memberincludes an upper end, wherein the upper end of the at least one supportwall member has a width greater than that of the at least one supportwall member.
 5. The gutter guard apparatus that is configured to besecured to the upper opening of a gutter as recited in claim 4, andfurther including a second connection member, said second connectionmember being proximate said second longitudinal wall, said secondconnection member configured to receive a portion of said cover member.6. The gutter guard apparatus that is configured to be secured to theupper opening of a gutter as recited in claim 5, wherein the bodyfurther includes an outer section, said outer section being adjacent theheating element channel and extending outward therefrom, said outersection configured to engage an outer edge of a gutter.
 7. A gutterguard apparatus configured to inhibit debris from entering a gutter andfurther operable to inhibit ice accumulation of the gutter wherein thegutter guard apparatus comprises: a body, said body having a bottom,said body having a first end and a second end, said body further havinga first longitudinal sidewall and a second longitudinal sidewallcontiguously formed with the bottom on opposing sides thereof, saidfirst longitudinal wall and said second longitudinal wall extendingupward from said bottom being perpendicular thereto, said body having anupper opening intermediate the first longitudinal sidewall and thesecond longitudinal sidewall providing access to an interior volumethereof; a plurality of support wall members, said plurality of supportwall members being integrally formed with an upper surface of saidbottom, said plurality of support wall members extending upward fromsaid bottom and being perpendicular thereto, said plurality of supportwall members forming longitudinal channels therebetween, said pluralityof support wall members and said longitudinal channels extendingintermediate said first end and said second end of said body; aplurality of apertures, said plurality of apertures being formed in saidbottom in said longitudinal channels, said plurality of apertures beingoval in shape and arranged in a linear manner intermediate said firstend and said second end of said body; a heating element channel, saidheating element channel being adjacent said second longitudinal wall,said heating element channel having a hollow passage configured toreceive a heating element therein; a fascia sealing member, said fasciasealing member configured to couple to said body proximate said firstlongitudinal wall, said fascia sealing member having a first section anda second section contiguously formed, said first section and said secondsection being perpendicular; and a screen mesh member, said screen meshmember disposed across said upper opening of said body, said screen meshmember configured to inhibit debris from entering said upper opening ofsaid body.
 8. The gutter guard apparatus configured to inhibit debrisfrom entering the gutter and further operable to inhibit iceaccumulation in the gutter as recited in claim 7, and further includinga fascia sealing member securing element, said fascia sealing membersecuring element being formed on said body proximate said firstlongitudinal wall at an upper edge thereof, and said fascia sealingmember securing element configured to receive a portion of the firstsection of the fascia sealing member.
 9. The gutter guard apparatusconfigured to inhibit debris from entering the gutter and furtheroperable to inhibit ice accumulation in the gutter as recited in claim8, wherein the fascia sealing member securing element includes a centerportion, said center portion having an upper portion formed thereon andperpendicular therewith, said fascia sealing member securing elementhaving a first void and a second void on opposing sides of the centerportion of the fascia sealing member securing element wherein the firstvoid and second void are underneath the upper portion of the fasciasealing member securing element.
 10. The gutter guard apparatusconfigured to inhibit debris from entering the gutter and furtheroperable to inhibit ice accumulation in the gutter as recited in claim9, wherein said first section of said fascia sealing member furtherincludes a leg member, said leg member having a first segment and asecond segment that are perpendicular, said second segment of said legmember configured to be superposed the upper portion of the fasciasealing member securing element.
 11. The gutter guard apparatusconfigured to inhibit debris from entering the gutter and furtheroperable to inhibit ice accumulation in the gutter as recited in claimwherein the plurality of support wall members include an upper end, saidupper end of said support wall members being flared in shape having awidth that is greater than that of a width of the plurality of supportwall members, said upper end configured to support said screen meshmember.
 12. The gutter guard apparatus configured to inhibit debris fromentering the gutter and further operable to inhibit ice accumulation inthe gutter as recited in claim 11, and further including a cover member,said cover member configured to be releasably secure to said body andsuperposed an upper opening of the heating element channel.
 13. Thegutter guard apparatus configured to inhibit debris from entering thegutter and further operable to inhibit ice accumulation in the gutter asrecited in claim 12, and further including a cover member connectionelement, said cover member connection element being formed proximate anupper edge of said second longitudinal wall member, said cover memberconnection element configured to receive a portion of said cover memberso as to provide releasable securing thereof.
 14. The gutter guardapparatus configured to inhibit debris from entering the gutter andfurther operable to inhibit ice accumulation in the gutter as recited inclaim 13, wherein the cover member connection element includes a firstvoid and a second void on opposing sides of a center section.